Walker orders hiring of deer trustee

Governor Scott Walker has ordered the hiring a ‘deer czar’. With the state’s bow hunting season already underway, it’s unlikely the Whitetail Deer Trustee will be appointed in time to have any impact on this fall’s deer hunt. In an August interview with WisconsinEye, Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp explained the trustee’s role. “We’re going to have somebody completely independent of our agency to come in . . . tell us where it’s good, tell us where we need support or shoring up, or maybe do we need to take a different tack and a new direction,” said Stepp.

A statement from Walker’s office said he’s following through on a campaign promise in order to make sure hunters have confidence in the state’s deer management practices. Walker was critical of DNR management during the campaign, and claimed the deer population has dwindled as a result. He’s issued an executive order directing the state Department of Administration to hire the independent expert.